Two Sides To A Story

Yesterday, I visited the Newseum – museum of news – in Washington DC (a great museum). In front, they feature the front page of a newspaper from each of the 50 states. You get to see headlines from across the United States.

Many headlined the story of the newly elected US Speaker of the House of Representatives John Boehner. Politics aside, Boehner is known for becoming emotional at times and is inclined to tear up.

There were several images newspapers could use to share the story on their front page. Most papers used either one of two images…

Some chose the:

(A) Passing of the Gavel / Proud Moment Shot

Other papers used the:

(B) Cry-Baby Shot

These two photos, taken moments apart, at the same event communicate something completely different. While technically reporting the same story, the image changes the meaning dramatically.